The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-01-07
CHAPTER Z.


before eight heard the carpenter S
Voice shouting down the companion
for the steward. | instantly opened
the cabin door to tell the man to 90 at
once. as believed that Stevens mere
ly called to give him orders about the
mems breakfast.
This proved to be the case, as I
presently learned on going on deck,
whittier l repaired (although it was
my watch below in order to see what
the carpenter was about.
l found him lying on one of the sky
lights. smoking pipe. with three or
four men around him. smoking also.
Away on our lee quarter was 4 large
steamer. bound. l took it. to the west
coast of Africa. The carpenter. see
ing me watching the steamer, called
out:
..She wouldn't take long to catch
US. would shes l hope there's TO man
on board this vessel as 'ud ike to see
her alongside. or would do any thing
to bring her near wouldn't like to
be the man as nd do it-wo1ld YOU.
Joes"
well. I'd rather ha' made nv will
fust than forgot it, if SO it were that /
was that man." responded the fellow
questioned.
We're glad you've come up" con-
timed the carpenter. addressing me,
though without shifting his posture.
''for bowed if knowed what to do if
she should get askin' Us any ques-
tons. Wat'll You do, Mr.. Royles"
LET her signal Us first" l replied,
quite alive to the sinister suggestive
ness of these questions
The men watched her anxiouSly. but
for myself gazed upon her with bitter
Indifference. The help l stood in need
of was not likely to come from her or
indeed from any vessel short of an in
9uisitive government ship. NY role was
clearly TO seem as one of the men
heart and soul. 1t would not do for
me 10 yield to any impulse l might
have which would lead me 20 attempt
TO communicate with the steamer.
We were slipping through the water
quickly, and By the time she was on
our weather-bow the steamer was near
enough 70 enable Us TO see the awning
stretched over her after-deck. and a
crowd OF persons watching US She
was a great ocean steamer, and went
magnificently through the water. In
2 few minutes she was dead on end.
swiniling the people watching US. but
fiaving such a long wake astern of her
..nat We went over it
What would i have given to be on
board of her,
The carpenter now got of the sky
light
I've told the steward to turn to
and get the mems breakfast" said he.
.Ourn's to be ready by eight; and l
reckon I'll show that suiveiing cock
new what it is to be hungry. You
don't call this a mutiny. do yer. Mr..
Royle9 Why, the men are like lambs"
Eyes. so they are, 1 answered. '.All
the same l shall be glad to feel dry
land under me. The Law always hangs
the skipper of mutiny. you know;
and I'm the skipper by your appoint
HaAeA So the sooner we all get out of
this mess the better, eh. Mr.. Stevens
That's right enough said he:
land We look to you to get us out of it. !"
do more" I answered.
I've don't want more. Enough's
what we want You'll let us see your
reekonings every day-not because We
doubt you-but it'll ease the minds of
the men to know thst we aren't like to
foul the Bermudas.
The Bermudas are well to the
hor'ar of our course" answered.
promptly.
"An night, Mr.. Royie, we look to
you" he sid, with face on I'm and
in > tone that meant good deal more
than met the ear. Nov mates." Sd
dressing the Others ''eut teg'ard end